Cecelia "Cissy" Sumner came into dog training as a midlife career change. After 20 plus years in retail sales and management, dog training has become her passion. Cissy founded Best Behavior Dog Training in 2002 to help show dog owners how to teach their dogs using force free training methods. Because Cissy feels credentials are important, she was certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in 2003, re-certified in 2006 and will be acknowledged again in 2009. This certification assures Cissy's knowledge is well rounded and based on scientific data and learning theories.

Cissy is excited to announce her selection to the board of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in August of 2009. By being on the Board, Cissy feels she can pursue her goal of promoting motivational training and the recognition of dog training certifications.

In addition to training dogs to be loving companions, Cissy teaches and competes in canine agility. Cissy has titled a variety of her own dogs as well as her clients in AKC and USDAA agility.

Cissy writes a weekly advice column "Ask the Dog Trainer" for the Hub section of the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. In her column, Cissy answers questions from the public on training and behavior. She serves in an advisory position for several local and national breed rescues. Her goal is to make dog-training user friendly and find viable solutions to keep dogs in their homes.

All of Cissy's training is driven by motivation. She firmly believes that if we can open the path of communication with our dogs, they will be happily compliant. Her clients, canine and human, enjoy the results of positive dog training.